Flat towing a 1980 cj7

Hey guys, i am looking to flat tow my jeep 3 or 4 hours from storage to my place. Bit of background on my truck, I have a 2006 auto v6 4x4 with the tow package.
I don't have much experience towing, but have pulled a couple ~15' trailers with my truck in the past. My jeep has a tow bar that bolts onto the bumper and is already set up, I just need to wire up the taillights.

I know the basics of towing that much, like pull the driveshafts, and leaving my truck in 4th and under 55mph and expecting my braking distance to be substantially increased. What I'm curious is to whether you'll have any tips or advise before I go up there, to help keep me from learning things the hard way.

Thank you In advance -

 

If the Jeep is a standard, no need to drop the driveshaft. Just keep it in neutral. Definitely keep it in 4th. Keeping it under 55, while saving some gas, isn't a requirement when towing.

Is the Jeep registered? It would have to be in massatooshits if it's wheels were on the road being towed.

 

Speaking of CJ7s, Wheeler Dealers just did one on their show this past week. The Jeep's mechanical bits were in pretty good shape, but it needed some rust restoration.

 

That looks just like my old '85

Transfer case in neutral, tranny in neutral, should be good to go, yes?

 

PS get pictures, we all love to see our Tacomas pull Jeeps around

 

I'm lazy. I would burn the $60 to rent a car trailer from uhaul. Yeah, it is heavy, but it has surge brakes on it and you won't have to worry about flat towing. You would likely need additional straps or chains if the ones that come with the trailer are not large enough. Just don't tell uhaul what you are putting on there in case they decide to crunch some numbers.

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-Transport-Rental/AT/

 

Yep, Uhaul will ask you what you’re hauling. Tell them it’s a red ‘89 Nissan Sentra 4 door. They won’t rent to you if you tell them it’s a yellow ‘04 Mazda RX8.

 

I'm starting to think renting a trailer is a overall better idea too. Not only because of the additional brakes and less headache, but I'm bringing it home to start overhauling the drivetrain, and as such its not going to run for months. If I just rent a trailer that's far cheaper than insuring and registering it.

Kind of obvious now that i saw it, but i guess I've had the flat towing idea in my mind for a couple years now

 

Looks like the curb weight of a CJ7 is <3K, so that+ the 2K pound car trailer is easily manageable by the Tacoma. Depending on how large your tires are, you still may have to provide some additional tie downs. If you went the trailer route, I would swing by a local u haul place to check out what they come with.

Piece of advice with the rental-they tend to rob you blind on one way rentals. You may want to rent from your start point, go pick up your jeep, and then return at the same place. Play with the numbers to see what works for you.

 

This. Super good advice. It will almost definitely be cheaper to pick up and return to same place. Make sure you tell them you're just using it around town too they might try to up charge if they know you're planning on logging some miles with it.
Also, if you're not use to towing often this gives you the added benefit of being able to get some practice driving with the trailer while it's unloaded before you have strap the jeep to it.

 

I towed a CJ5 1200 miles with nothing but a tow bar and transfer case in neutral and a set of brake lights on a 2x4 strapped to the rear end of the jeep.

 

Spitdog, what year is your CJ and what TC? I’m in Oklahoma and going to California to buy a 1980 CJ7 this next week. Hear lots of opinions.